GERALD WASHINGTON-EMPIRE BUILDER- “STAY ON THE WALL”

With a longstanding history of taking brands and businesses to the next level of success, Gerald’s leadership, innovation, and business acumen leave only two words to describe him: Empire Builder. Today he’s building a family empire that includes several multi-unit real estate holdings, a transportation company, brand management division and now transformation arm via his speaking, coaching programs and new book, Don’t Just Start a Business, Build an Empire. Washington’s latest venture takes him off his Hollywood Hiatus and back in the amazing world of entertainment and television productions. With the launch of Driveway Productions his Atlanta based production company, a renewed sense of purpose, a laser focus, and a commitment to providing programming that will not only be entertaining, but will tell the types of powerful, culture driven, complex, perspective based, impactful stories so many viewers are craving.    Washington also serves as a board member and partner of Lion Capital Investments, a California/Georgia based investment firm where he and his team tackle residential and commercial real estate investments along with franchise development opportunities globally. Prior to this role, Gerald was the partner and president of Steve Harvey World Group, partner and president East 112th Street Productions, and president of the Steve Harvey Radio Network, where he led business development, production, and operations for all three companies. Gerald successfully secured major partnerships and endorsement deals with household names such as T-Mobile, Ford, State Farm, NBC, ABC, Fox and BET. He led the launch and growth of new business ventures with Match.com and Garrett’s Popcorn Shops, as well as the transformational coaching company Act Like a Success and Easy Bacon, Steve Harvey’s first food product. Through his leadership, the Steve Harvey World Group tripled in revenue and grew by 65 percent.